"I still keep up my knowledge of the classics, you perceive," remarked Bora, as the book was returned to him.
"You study them very attentively, too, I observe," said the secretary; "it isn't every student that takes to counting the exact number of words in a Greek play."
Bora stared hard at Trevisa as if detecting a hidden meaning in his reply, and then turned away, obviously ill at ease.
Trevisa rejoined Paul, and catching sight of the red line on his friend's cheek he instantly inquired the cause.
"The signature of John the Strong," replied Paul, grimly, proceeding to explain.
In describing the recent fracas Paul, not wishing to refer to Castel Nuovo, suppressed the incident of the seal, making it appear that his non-salute of the duke was the cause of the quarrel.
Trevisa listened with a look of the utmost consternation.
"The damned savage!" he muttered. "Paul, you are rushing to certain death. The duke is mighty with the sabre. There is not his equal in all Czernova."
"Small praise, seeing that Czernova is but small."
"He has already fought thirty duels, seven of which ended fatally for his opponent."